~ April 5, 2015. 3:00 pm.
Family Outing:
Call of the Wild Film Fest at the Refuge

Keystone-like pipeline in northern Minnesota

submitted by Lois Norrgard Lnorrgard@lnmn10.com

Many of us are familiar with the Keystone XL project that has illuminated the impacts of the tar sands development in Alberta, Canada. Fewer know that we have our own tar sands pipeline running through northern Minnesota called the Alberta Clipper that was put into production in 2010 to carry tar sands crude oil to Midwest refineries and beyond.

Local fields are currently a riot of wildflowers; milkweed, black-eyed Susans, all sorts of vetches and clovers, yarrow, you might even find some tiny chickweed weaving its way among the grasses. What is responsible for this hodgepodge of wildflowers? For the most part these flowers are able to reproduce only with the help of pollinating insects. The majority of the fruit and vegetables we eat, the flowers we buy at the store, the ones in the field, all need pollinators.

Thanks to the support of MRVAC, a Purple Martin house was installed in the summer of 2010 along the shoreline restoration area of Lake Hiawatha in Minneapolis. Funds were also contributed by the Standish-Ericsson Neighorhood Association, with the support and assistance of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. Hundreds of people walk, run, bike, roller-blade, or picnic by this location every day. Hopefully there will come a time when city residents can enjoy the sight of Purple Martins hawking insects over Lake Hiawatha.

Do you get as discouraged as I do about the amount of garlic mustard growing in our local parks, crowding out native plants, degrading the habitat and reducing the varieties of birds there? I’m trying to form a small team who will focus on protecting areas of high quality native plants by removing the encroaching garlic mustard in Lone Lake Park in Minnetonka. Training will be provided by the City of Minnetonka.

We’ll also meet occasionally to learn about native plants, tour local native plant gardens and socialize (cookies and iced tea at my house, at a minimum).

We have a team of three so far – more would be welcome. Team leaders for other areas – in Minnetonka or in other cities – would be welcome, too. Bredesen Park in Edina could use some help!